Identify Covid-19 hotspots, ensure social distancing
A group of leading economists, civil society leaders and public health professionals have suggested that the government identify the hot spots of Covid-19 in the country and begin a wider communication campaign to ensure social distancing to prevent further spread of the coronavirus infection.
They also called for rightly identifying the groups of people most affected by the shutdown due to the pandemic and make sure that the government's stimulus packages reach the people who really need those.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday declared an allocation of Tk 72,750 crore under a set of stimulus packages to address the possible impact of coronavirus on the country's economy as nine people died and 88 tested positive in Bangladesh yesterday.
In a video press conference yesterday, the professionals said this is a time of national disaster and the NGOs are willing to work hand-in-hand with the government.
BRAC Chairperson Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said it is very important to know the levels of Covid-19, which is possible via testing. Alternatively, authorities also need to identify the hot spots of the infection.
"This can be done alternatively, for example, by looking at the rates of respiratory diseases and deaths relating to that in certain areas," he said.
The NGOs, who can have grassroots network across the country, can help in this regard. A framework should be prepared for this, Dr Zillur said.
He said social distancing is a major strategy to prevent transmission of the virus, but this needs effective communication and enforcement. However, there seems to be gaps, especially when it comes to social and religions events, he added.
Poor people are coming out of homes in search of livelihood, while there is a lack of hygiene practices in the urban slums. A social safety net programme is crucial for these groups of people to enforce social distancing and promote hygiene practices, the economist said.
He added that the people, especially healthcare professionals, law enforcers and journalists -- who are on the frontlines to address the health emergency -- need mental boosting and financial incentives so they can continue to work. Part of the stimulus package should be allocated for them, he added.
The health sector managers and private health sector need to sit together to decide how the patients beyond coronavirus can access healthcare because there are risks of such patients may not being able to access healthcare because of the focus on coronavirus, Zillur said.
The government has a guideline for addressing Covid-19, but there should be national taskforce for coordination of all activities -- public, private and non-profit bodies, he added.
Civil society leaders said poor people involved in the informal sectors are facing food insecurity, and their number would be about 40 lakh. The government should have special consideration for them, he added.
Zillur specifically mentioned the small farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises, who are vulnerable to the economic shocks caused by the pandemic and need the government's special attention under the stimulus package.
"A large number of people working in saloons, restaurants and small businesses have no jobs. The challenge is how to help them restart their businesses after the pandemic," he said.
He proposed the formation of a high-level expert panel comprised of government and professionals for designing a short, medium and long-term plan.
Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, suggested that the government make an announcement of giving incentives to the small and medium industries and make sure that they are not evicted from the factories or shops in the case of failing to pay rent now.
ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir suggested that the government ensures a smooth supply chain of the produces of farmers. Otherwise, the prices of the commodities will fall and the farmers will be affected badly.
She also said gender-based violence may increase amid the shutdown, and that the authorities need to think how they can help address it.
BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said the next few weeks are very important for Bangladesh as the cases of coronavirus are increasing.
"This is a national disaster. We all must work together in a coordinated way," he said.
Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun and former health secretary AMM Nasiruddin also spoke.
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